Flu Season Preparedness

UNF administrators are actively planning and
preparing for the flu season which will involve H1N1 flu (swine flu) in
addition to other influenza. Housing administrators are part of a
university-wide task force monitoring this situation. All campus
facilities are in full compliance with the guidelines and
recommendations of the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the Duval
County Health Department, the UNF Environmental Health & Safety
Department (EH&S), and the UNF Student Health Services (SHS). At
this time, there are no campus notices or alerts. Health care
professionals encourage you to stay informed, stay healthy, and be
prepared.

Frequently Asked Questions

Purchase hand sanitizer for
personal use; purchase air/hard surface disinfectant for personal use;
have a supply of over-the counter medicines available; have a supply of
clear liquids available; and have a supply of tissues available.

Stay away from others in your residence hall room or apartment for at
least 24 hours after your fever is gone (without the use of
fever-reducing medicine), except to get medical care or for other
necessities.

For sneezes and coughs, cover your mouth and nose
with a tissue. Immediately throw away used tissue. Immediately clean
hands after each sneeze or cough.

Wear a face mask when sharing common spaces with others.

Avoid close contact with others. Do not go to work or school, or ride public transportation while ill.

Get plenty of rest. Drink clear fluids to keep from getting dehydrated.

If you experience the following symptoms, seek medical attention immediately:

According to the CDC website, those
who are well but living with ill family members or roommates with
flu-like illness can go about their daily business as usual. They need
to monitor their health daily and take common sense precautions
including washing hands often with soap and water or using alcohol-based
hand cleaners. They are also encouraged to remain at least 6 feet away
from the ill family member or roommate at all times.

No. At this time, Florida is on a level 2 (on a scale of 5 with 5 being the most severe level) alert. Quarantining sick individuals is not a recommended response in a level 2 outbreak. Campus, as well as off campus residents are encouraged to self-isolate in their rooms or apartments if they are experiencing flu-like illness. See "Q. What should I do if I become ill with flu-like symptoms?" above.

No. See "Q. What should I do if I become ill with flu-like symptoms?"
above.

UNF does not require ill students to leave campus if they develop
flu-like illnesses. However, many students may find it more comfortable
to return home for that time period to continue their recovery.
Whenever possible, students wishing to return home to recover should
travel by private vehicle rather than public transportation.

Students are required to keep living areas clean on an ongoing basis
and semi-private/private bathrooms clean between weekly staff cleanings.
To that end, the CDC recommends that surfaces are kept clean "by wiping
them down with household disinfectants according to directions on the
product label. Several chemical germicides, including chlorine, hydrogen
peroxide, detergents (soap), iodophors (iodine-based antiseptics), and
alcohols are effective against human influenza viruses if used in proper
concentration for a sufficient length of time."

Other recommendations:

Linens, eating utensils, and dishes belonging to those with flu-like
illness do not need to be cleaned separately. These items should not be
shared without washing thoroughly first however.

Wash sheets,
towels, and other linens using household laundry detergent and dry on a
hot setting. Avoid "hugging" the dirty laundry of an ill individual, and
clean hands with soap and water or alcohol-based cleaner immediately
after handling laundry.

Eating utensils should be washed either in a dishwasher or by hand with soap and water.